DR. MATBEN is a 2.5D action-platformer roguelite that blends precise platforming, modular weapon customization, and procedural runs through simulated environments. Players take control of a 99-year-old genius inventor navigating digital recreations of personal memories while confronting a rogue AI named S.O.L.V.E.R. The core loop centers on collecting and combining mods to alter the Modgun and character abilities, then testing those builds across repeated facility runs that shift in layout, enemy placement, and available loot.
Gameplay
The action focuses on side-scrolling platforming combined with combat against hostile entities inside the simulation. Movement requires timing jumps, wall interactions, and positioning to avoid hazards while engaging threats. The Modgun serves as the primary tool, accepting various mods that players discover and equip to create distinct loadouts. These modifications change firing patterns, add effects, or enhance mobility, encouraging experimentation between runs. Character upgrades further support different approaches, such as emphasizing defense or aggressive offense. Each attempt through the facility presents new configurations of enemies and resources, forcing adaptation rather than reliance on a single strategy. The roguelite structure means progress carries over in the form of unlocked mods and knowledge of patterns, but individual runs remain distinct due to the changing simulation parameters.
Game Modes
DR. MATBEN supports solo play as the default experience, where individuals manage all aspects of mod selection, navigation, and combat independently. Online co-op allows up to several friends to join the same session, coordinating their customized builds to tackle tougher sections of the facility together. In co-op, players share the same simulation instance, which means team composition and mod synergy become key factors in overcoming coordinated enemy groups or environmental challenges. No separate competitive or versus modes exist; the emphasis stays on cooperative or solitary progression through the memory simulations. Runs can be attempted repeatedly to test new combinations or pursue further story elements tied to the PIN code search.
Story and Setting
The narrative unfolds through exploration of memory simulations created by the protagonist. Dr. Matben originally developed S.O.L.V.E.R. as an AI solution to an impending ice age, but the system now poses a different threat that requires locating a specific PIN code to neutralize. Players uncover fragments of the inventor's past while advancing deeper into the facility. The setting mixes retro-inspired digital aesthetics with handcrafted 2.5D environments that represent altered recollections. Audio design features an original 80s-style soundtrack composed in-house, supporting the tense atmosphere during runs. All visual assets are drawn by hand without reliance on generative tools.
Is It Worth Playing?
DR. MATBEN targets players who enjoy roguelite progression paired with platforming precision and build experimentation. Its mod system and variable run structure provide replay value for those who like adapting strategies on the fly. Co-op support adds a layer for groups seeking shared challenges without shifting focus away from the core single-player loop. Since the game remains in development with a planned 2027 release and currently lists no user reviews, interested players can follow updates through the official wishlist. The indie scale from a two-person team suggests focused mechanics over expansive content, suiting fans of concise, replay-driven action-platformers rather than those seeking large-scale open worlds or frequent seasonal content. Availability will be on PC via standard digital storefronts once launched.
